Our Philosophy and Goals page 1 Our Program page 1

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

It is our expectation that all students progress through the grades by demonstrating academic achievement for satisfactory performance. Students will be identified as candidates for promotion or retention based on the following criteria:

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  Grades: A student must possess a1.76 GPA minimum, based on quarter grades.
  
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  Teacher Evaluation: Teachers will evaluate each child based on class work, homework and assessments.
  
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  Standardized Tests: Students must show grade level performance on the Stanford Achievement Test.
  
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  Attendance: Students must attend classes at least 90% of the total school days in order to be eligible for promotion to the next grade.
  

Our staff will closely monitor student progress and will inform parents if their child is at risk for retention. Parents are also encouraged to monitor their child’s progress and contact the classroom teacher and/or the administration with questions and concerns.

ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

Our Academic day begins promptly at 8:15am and ends at 3:00pm. Please arrive early to give your student time to get settled prior to the start of their day. Late students not only disrupt the class but take away from the learning experience of both your child and the entire class.

Back- to -School Orientation

A back-to-school orientation is scheduled in late August for all parents and students. Parents will meet their student’s teacher(s) and will become acquainted with our curriculum, procedures and policies at West Valley Middle School.

CAMPUS HOURS

The campus opens at 6:30am and closes promptly at 6:00pm.

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  For your child’s safety, do not drop them off in the parking lot prior to 6:30am.
  
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  The campus begins locking up empty rooms at 5:30pm.
  
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  At 5:30pm, any children remaining are brought to the Office for pickup.
  
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  The School is Closed at 6:00pm, and late fees will be issued for any late arrivals. Excessive late arrivals will result in late fees as well as further action.
  
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  The student is responsible for making sure to bring all their belongings with them when they leave their classroom. Our teachers will assist the students; however, the teacher will not know what the children brought or didn’t bring to school that day.
  
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  Please note: After the campus begins locking up at 5:30pm, students and/or parents will not be able to access closed and locked classrooms until the next morning when our campus opens at 6:30am. Your child will need to wait to get their forgotten belongings until the next day.
  

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are to be kept off or in students’ lockers during the academic day and study hall. After school calls/text messages to and from a student’s parents may be made with a teacher’s permission. Any violation of our cell phone policy will result in a disciplinary step and confiscation of the cell phone. WVMS is not responsible for any cell phones that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Cheating Policy

Definition: Cheating occurs when a student chooses to use sources or materials that are defined as unacceptable by the teacher on assignments or test. Cheating includes communication with anyone except the teacher for the reason of obtaining answers to questions during a test.

Cheating on test and copying or sharing individual assigned homework or projects is also not acceptable.
Students caught cheating on tests, class work, homework or projects will be informed and the following consequences may be given at the discretion of the teacher:

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   A student may receive a zero or No Credit grade on the assignment
   
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   A student shall be given no opportunity for make-up.
   
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   A “broken rule notice” will be filed and a phone call may be made to the student’s parents
   

In addition to the above, subsequent violations of this rule may result in:

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   Parent conference with the teacher
   
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   Assignment to detention
   
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   Loss of school activity privileges.
   

Any staff member who suspects students of copying from unacceptable sources will confiscate all of the student’s paper in their original form and will place the suspected work in the hands of the teacher who gave the assignment. It will be up to that teacher to determine whether or not cheating has taken place. If cheating is determined to have occurred, the consequences listed above may be imposed.

Classroom expectations

Teachers are deserving of respect and are held accountable for maintaining a positive class atmosphere conducive to quality education. Each teacher establishes specific rules for their student’s classroom behavior.
Students are to be respectful and cooperative of the teacher’s authority. Students must come to class on time, fully prepared to participate in the daily lesson. Students are expected to respect the rights of others. Students are to help keep our campus clean. Students are to engage in proper use of playground and bathroom facilities.
CLOSED CAMPUS

Safety and security are essential to a happy, healthy and productive learning environment. To insure the safety and security of our students, West Valley Middle school is a closed campus. Written permission or a phone call by a parent must be given before a student is allowed to leave our campus. Leaving our campus without permission will be treated as a serious offense and will carry disciplinary consequences.

COMMUNICATION

Open communication between parents and teachers is an integral part of our curriculum’s success. Communication from the office is emailed and posted through Teacherease and communication flyers are regularly available in the office. Important school information is posted on the WVMS bulletin board next to the office. The office staff will be the contact between the school and the parents. All general questions (such as school policies, programs, events, etc.) should be directed to the office staff. Parents will be notified by telephone in extreme situations such as a health problem or a serious behavior problem.

A sign-in and sign-out binder for each grade level is kept by the office. Information may be attached to your sign-in sheet and/or there may be informational notices posted near the binders. This is another way for teachers and our office to communicate with parents. We recommend that you sign your child in and out each day.
All communication is welcomed by teaching and administrative staff. Our professional teaching staff is open, available, and readily capable to handle all parent questions and concerns. We recommend that parents communicate directly with teachers as questions or concerns arise. Teachers can be easily contacted via email through Teacherease, before and after school.
Finally, students at West Valley Middle School are provided with a yearly planner. Students are expected to be responsible for recording their own assignments in their planner. Teachers encourage parents to initial their student’s planner each day to review homework, projects due and school communication.